Ballooning over the Serengeti

This morning started early as we rose at four so we could be at the balloon site for sunrise.  We were picked up in a safari vehicle for the hour and a half ride and were not 15 minutes from the lodge before we started to encounter hyenas on the roadway.  One had an adorable baby with it but I would not want to have a run in with an adult but was great to se so many in their environment.  Also saw a jackal and rabbits but our exciting find was a pair of lions.  This was our first encounter with a male lion and we were in awe.  He was only feet from our vehicle and the excitement was high.  It was too dark for pictures but I know we will all carry that one in our heads.  Arriving at the launch site we were all a little apprehensive as well as excited to see the massive balloons laid out on the grassland ands. We entered the basket as it layed on its side which was challenging for some and the as the balloon filled and rose the basket tipped up to the right position and we were off.  It was absolutely breathtaking.  We flew low so that we could observe the wild life below.  As it was still early we saw hippos out of the water which is a rare sight, lions, zebras, wildebeest ,cape buffalo,gazelle, nesting birds and of course the sunrise over this wonderful land.  Floating along smoothly after a few days of very bumpy roads was a welcome reprieve.  After an interesting landing where the basket once agin ends up on its side and you are basically lying down we were driven to a site for the site for the traditional celebratory champagne.  On the way as this time we were driving across the actual grassland not the trails we encountered another pair of lions and this time the camera got their workout.  What magnificent creatures!  Now we really had more to celebrate.  Serving champagne after a balloon ride goes back to the first balloon rides in France where the King ruled that the pilots must give the land owners where they landed champagne as they often destroyed some of the crops as they landed. 

Getting ready to go up

Filling the balloon

Up up and away with panoramic views

Grazing Cape buffalo 

Our pilot

Champagne awaits

Breakfast served to us complete with giraffe and zebra grazing in the background 

After being picked up by our on guides and the rest of the group we headed back towards our lodge for lunch but several highlights were to come before we made our way back.  We first encountered a couple of lions on rocks close to the road which gave us wonderful viewing then as we headed back we came upon a large group of wildebeest and zebra migrating which though not our first such encounter it was once again breathtaking.

Migration of wildebeest and zebra crossed right in front of us

The numbers are staggering.  I never imagined we would encounter the volume of animals that we have been so lucky to have such close contact with.

A little further along we came along a large herd of zebras gathered at the waters edge drinking.  It was fascinating to watch them. When one of them spooked they would all run out of the water, look around and then cautiously return.  With their wonderful mix of stripes it was quite the sight.

Love the reflections in the muddy water

We also came across groups of impalas and zebra with nursing babies which warmed a mothers heart.

After lunch we set off on a late afternoon drive with no expectations as the day had far exceeded anything we could have dreamed of.  How wrong we were.  We drove out to some beautiful kopjes passing varied wildlife on the way.  Approaching this magnificent rock decorated with Masai paintings we spotted two lions resting in the sunshine.  As we stopped to watch and photograph one by one additional family members emerged from behind the rocks until we were watching a family of twelve on what Garth called Pride Rock which seems a very fitting name.

Pride Rock

Venturing out further on the Serengeti we did get to see two rhinos as they made they their exit across the plain.  This was very exciting as it means we have seen the Big Five in the short time we have been here.

Not the best picture but it is pictorial proof that we saw them

Our trip back was not without excitement as we got stuck in a muddy dip in the road.  Luck would have it that there was one vehicle behind us and several pushes later we were on our way.

Inspecting the hole 

As we were a little late getting back we were treated to a beautiful sunset.

Returning to the lodge was like taking a little safari with us as monkeys played on our decks,dik diks grazed just outside our room and we had panoramic views of the Serengeti.  I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow has in store for us.